The Gospel of the Lots of Mary

The gospel of the lots of Mary, the mother of the Lord Jesus the Christ, she to whom Gabriel the archangel brought the good news.

The one who will go forward (or: seek) with his whole heart will obtain what he seeks. Only do not be of two minds.

“When I find myself in times of trouble Mother Mary comes to me speaking words of wisdom, let it be. And in my hour of darkness, she is standing right in front of me speaking words of wisdom, let it be. There will be an answer, let it be.”

• The (pseudo-)Astrampsychus’s letter also contains plain instructions on how to operate the text.
• The diviner and client must first select from a list of preformulated, numbered questions, then the inquirer chooses a number between 1 and 10," whichever he wants, or that the spirit gives him at the moment he opens his mouth".
• Adding the number of the question to one chosen by the client leads to the number of the answer, an elegantly simple system, to be sure. But this was surely not the way our codex worked, for it has no list of questions nor a consistent numbering system, and it has longer, very general answers. It is conceivable, however, that a client submitted a divinely given number that the diviner then counted out in the pages of our book, thereby arriving at an answer.

• Naether mentions also rolling a dice. She observes that the system of a client thinking of a number spontaneously worked under the assumption that the deity already exerted influence in this stage.
• lamblichus, De Mysteriis 3.11, trans. Clarke et al., 127. The larger context of the passage is a discussion of inspired oracles. lamblichus (ibid., 149) writes about the preparations of the prophetess before she “partakes of the god”, as follows: “This is what is shown by the abundance of sacrifices, the established custom of the whole ritual, and everything that is performed with due piety prior to divination: also the baths of the prophetess, her fasting for three whole days, abiding in the innermost sanctuaries, already possessed by light, and rejoicing in it for a long time. For all these things show that the god has been invoked and that his arrival comes from without, a marvelous inspiration even before coming to his accustomed place ..." See also Fox, Pagans and Christians, 173.
• Another lot text, the Medieval Latin Sortes Sanctorum, prescribes a three-day period of fasting on water and bread and extensive prayer before a client could approach the oracle.10
• The practice in the order of the sortes is, that if someone wants to ask them, let him/her fast for three days on bread and water, and on the third day let him/her sing the whole office of the Holy Trinity and when the mass is finished with great humility praying and weeping let him/her ask from the lots whatever has been necessary.
• A prefaced narrative places the oracle in a biblical context, referring to the lot that fell on Jonah and on Matthias. With its description of fasting, humble praying, and weeping, this introduction evokes a dramatic scene. Depictions of similar preparations for ritual by those about to access the divine abound. Judas Maccabaeus and his forces prepare before a bibliomaniac session by fasting for a day and wearing sack-cloth and ashes (1 Macc 3:47).

• Of course, taken literally, the admonition not to doubt the answer assures the client of the reliability of the outcome. In the case of a positive answer, it is reassuring to hear that you should not doubt it. Doubt also relates to the position of the diviner. It is indeed the function of a diviner to "impose certainty on a situation characterized by doubts."

Oracles:

1. Humans with their tongues they love you greatly, but their heart is far from you. And you know what happened to you before today, that you almost lost your life. In any case they certainly lie in wait for you.

2. Be happy, rejoice, be glad and glorify God for what has happened to you. Because it was only a little while ago that you were far from home, then you suffered loss and were in disgrace and danger. But God took pity on you.

3. Behold, you have been saved, do not (re)tum to commit sin, so that even worse matters do not happen to you. Do you not remember what happened to you before today? And God saved you from everything. Do not (re)tum to this matter.

4. It is you alone who brings upon yourself a great, difficult burden. This matter you want to do, its time has not yet come. Endure a short time/a little longer and you will see the confidence in God that will reach you.

5. They will trust you in this matter. Be brave and endure, for time is hastening for you. Do not be distressed nor despair nor grieve, because you have a strong hope through God.

6. The Lord God has heard your request and he will send his angel and he will walk before you. And you will see the confidence in God that will reach you. Only do not become careless, (saying) “this matter will not happen”. Yes, it will happen.

7. You know, o human, that you did your utmost again. You did not gain anything but loss, dispute, and war. But if you are patient a little, the matter will prosper through the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

8. Fight for yourself in what has happened to you because it is a human evil. Your enemies are not far from you. They have plotted against you again due to the evil that is in their hearts. But trust in God and walk in his commandments forever.

9. Get up and go immediately. Do not delay. For this is the moment that God appointed for you. They have simply accused you to (the point of) death but be patient just a little.

10. The peace of God will be with you, and you will be saved from the affliction that has come upon you. Fulfill what you promised because God does not tempt anyone. It is you only who are disobedient.

11. If you decide to do this matter, do it. Do not be careless, because God established the matter. It is you only who turns back. No, there is no evil that shall reach you. Trust in God and do not be of two minds.

12. Do not let go of the faith in your heart. You have God as helper. He will guide you on the path on which you will go. At all events, do not doubt because nothing is impossible for God.

13. Do not think therefore about strength, O human. You will not be victorious now. You will endure great suffering because the difficult time has not yet passed by for you now. Do not trust the words of vain people.

14. They will trust you and you will be victorious in this matter. Strengthen your heart. This matter is from God. Fear not. As for you, everything you will do, God is with you.

15. Human, bear everything and give thanks with a thought of God. Because it is God’s hand that was upon you. Do not doubt in your heart nor walk in the counsels of vain people.

16. Remember that you were close to death another time in the affliction that has come upon you. Because you were in your former matters, while your enemies counseled you and you thought they loved you. You will understand my words. Turn away from these people.

17. The peace of God will be with you in all your days. And you will rejoice, and a large harvest will be yours in the year. And you will rejoice in the works of your hands because the angel of the Lord will walk before you.

18. It is the king of heaven and earth and the God of all flesh who fights for you (pl.). He will make you conquer your enemies, for God has received your request about all the difficulties that you endured. They are a concern for God.

19. This is a victory from God. But be patient and endure until the time comes and you receive the hope of your salvation. The crown is ready for you, but they oppose you, do not be led astray by people.

20. A little longer and you will receive the fulfillment of your life. For the Lord is your mediator. Endure, and you will receive the hope of your salvation, because the power of God is greater than that of humans. And they will marvel at you.

21. Behold, the difficult time passed for you. Behold, the hour of rest has come upon you. Simply be brave. You will see the confidence in God that will reach you. And he will send the angel of peace and he will guide you and give you rest.

22. Just as another time, they beguile you. Do not let them finish robbing you, so that you die violently on account of your disobedience, because you were careless.

23. I marvel at you, o human since it is not (in) your power. You will be afflicted. Your hope left you another time. Without the fear of God, you would not be saved from the wrath that has come upon you.

24. Stop being of two minds, O human, whether this thing will happen or not. Yes, it will happen! Be brave and do not be of two minds. Because it will remain with you a long time and you will receive joy and happiness.

25. Go, make your vows. And what you promised, fulfill it immediately. Do not be of two minds, because God is merciful. It is he who will bring about your request for you and do away with the affliction in your heart.

26. Get up and help yourself because the hour of necessity has come. Why are you sitting down? They will summon you without your knowledge. Do not think that you will avoid the danger that is upon you. But go and pray to God immediately.

27. Trust in the help of the Most-High and call upon his name with your whole heart. And he will send his good angel and he will lead you. Do not fear those who will kill your bodies without having more than this to do to you (pl.)

28. Be brave in everything because your concern is over nothing. The Lord will help you with his right hand. He will send Michael, his angel, and he will help you. And you will conquer those who fight with you, and he will humble your enemies before you.

29. Go away quickly. Do not stop to reflect "What have I done? These things have caught up to me." But be patient for a little while until God solves (?) the matter. Only believe in God with all your heart. And you will see what will happen in the end.

30. No evil will reach you in this matter, nor sorrow nor harm, because the Lord Jesus fights on your behalf. You will find joy and be happy even in your short lifespan. Trust in God and do not be of two minds.

31. Walk and go immediately. Do not delay. Because it is God who fights for you. He will cause your enemies to be subject to you. If you are patient for a little, you will receive the hope of your salvation and you will be at rest.

32. Make haste because, behold, the time has come, your heart will be happy. Go forward because the matter is appointed for you by God. He will prepare for you a good path, and you will be saved from the affliction that has come upon you.

33. Do not follow your heart’s desire nor pursue fulfillment. Do not trust the words of people, because you did everything in your power another time without being able to secure the matter. But it is you alone who turns back.

34. Go forward immediately. This is a thing from God. You know that, behold, for many days you are suffering greatly. But it is of no concern to you because you have come to the haven of victory.

35. You will not be able to believe them, nor will you be able to have confidence in their speech. These people are deceivers and traitors. Turn away from them, because they beguiled you another time, with other (people).

36. Human, look, what did you do? Examine yourself alone. For verily, a great transgression is in you. It isn’t in your power to oppose the hand of God, is it? But go and glorify God.

37. This is the day that God has prepared that peace and joy be in it. Because Christ Jesus will give you a good fruit (or: harvest) and a prosperous life.